Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1887-07-25
AN intelligent

trip in the South and West, where
| have been investigating the booms
and their causes that we have all
heard so much about in the past
two years or longer, and after visit
ing all of the principal points, it is
impossible 10 arrive at any other
conclusion than that there is a gi-
gantic boom $50 called) South and
West, such as no part of this coun-
try has never experienced before.
As to the causes, generally speak
ing, there could be many named and
a hundred theories advanced, which
| will not attempt to discuss; but if
you ask the citizens of place, the
answer comes quick and emphatic,
it is our natural location and sur
roundings. While this is true in a
few instances, it is far from being
correct in the majority of places.
From as thorough an investigation
as could be made in the short time
/ had, | am of the opinion that it
is not so much from the natural
causes and resources as it is from
the enterprise and determination
Of the people, and with but few ex-
ceptions you will find the size of the
boom in a place just in proportion
to the lberality and enterprise of
her citizens. Most Of these booms
are being based on solid founda-
ton, which is manufactures. This
is almost entirely so in the South,
where there has been in the past six
months a daily average of fourteen
manufactures organized and locat-
ed, or total of over 1000, with a
capital of $40, 900, 900.
There is no denying the fact that
the resources of the South are un-
limited, yet | do not find this the
principal cause of so many enter
prises locating there, but is largely
due to the efforts made, and from
the inducements offered by the diff
ferent communities in various ways.
They are always ready to donate q
site and take stock IN any enter
prise that will locate in their midst,
and further, to exempt all manufac-
lures from taxation; State, county
and municipal, for a term of years.
The latter | find quite an induce
ment for capital to enter into man.
ufacturing. Would it not be we'll
to have this subject agitated, and
have our Legislature this winter
pass bill exempting all manufac-
turers in the State from taxation /?
Ii not the old established manufac-
turers, to exempt all new ones for
at least 10 years after organizing or
locating within the State. Our nat
tional government has protected
them by a high tariff against foreign
competition for the benefit of the
employee. Why not the State also
help the laborers by making the
burden as light as possible for the
manufacturer As small as this
may seem to some, with the close
competition now in the production
of goods it will no doubt help very
much in establishing more manu-
factories in our State, and possibly
encourage the Knights of Labor to
establish co operative works in the
State also. When we take into con-
sideration the close proximity we
are to the immense iron and coal
fields, forests of fine timber, fine
climate, transportation facilities,
&c., and located as we are on the
dividing line of the North and South
avoiding both extreme cold and
heat, we find we possess many nat.
ural advantages that we have not
made use of, and far superior to
some of the booming States South
and West, and also far superior to
many of the States North which
treble us in manufactured goods.
In conclusion. permit me to suggest
the experiment of taxing the mort
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